Tag Archives: Film

“The Hands of Orlac”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Directed by Robert Wiene, the 1924 “The Hands of Orlac” takes the psychological emphasis of Wiene’s “Caligari” and gives it an undertow of pained Germanic romanticism (among other things, it’s a fever dream of emasculation). Conrad … Continue reading

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“The Living Skeleton”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This seaside spook-fest from 1968 shows what can be done with a few good images and a flair for sustained moods. The screenplay, by Kyuzo Kobayashi and Kikuma Shimoiizaka, has something to do with a gang of modern-day pirates, … Continue reading

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“Predator”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Predator” is reminiscent of the Ford-Nichols “The Lost Patrol”: its slimness, seemingly lunkheaded at first, is what makes it feel kind of daring. The screenplay, by Jim and John Thomas, uses a familiar action-movie set-up as … Continue reading

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“The Ghoul”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Starring Boris Karloff and featuring a plot derived from “The Cat and the Canary,” this British Gaumont production seems like an attempt to mimic the success of Universal’s monster series. It’s only half-way successful. Karloff’s ghoul, … Continue reading

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Linkage

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Shouting Thomas is having bear troubles. Have you noticed how many scientific and/or academic studies are done on toys? In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that some college is offering a degree in Barbie Studies. … Continue reading

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“Carmen Comes Home”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This sprightly, sweet-spirited comedy from 1951 was the first full-length Japanese film made in color. It features Hideko Takamine and Toshiko Kobayashi as Kin and Maya; they’re a couple of big-city strippers who cause a scandal when they pay a visit to Kin’s hometown, … Continue reading

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“Black Rainbow”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: I semi-enjoyed this late ’80s film from writer-director Mike Hodges. It’s a thriller with supernatural trappings that’s perhaps most notable for its setting: the fetid, chipped-paint American South of Flannery O’Connor. (It was filmed in Charlotte, … Continue reading

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Linkage

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Lesbians react to lesbian porn. Dennis Mangan discovers a group of traditionalist French women. Gucci Little Piggy spotlights some amusing (and somewhat phony looking) images of working mothers. Swooshiness! Reflectiveness! Transparency! Please save me from all … Continue reading

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“Rust and Bone”

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: This movie might have been something had director Jacques Audiard bothered to give it a shape and some conciseness. I love Marion Cotillard; she reminds me a bit of Nadia Sibirskaia, though there’s a smidge of … Continue reading

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“Pain & Gain” and Michael Bay

Sax von Stroheim writes: Pain & Gain, the new true crime caper movie from Michael Bay: Uncouth Reflections Movie of the Year? Movie of the Decade? Movie of All Time? Its subject is excess, and it’s catching, so forgive the … Continue reading

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